Gagner is a very good player who still has some unexplored upside, but he simply isn’t the right fit for Edmonton, and vice versa. No team this small up the middle on the top two lines is going to succeed in the Pacific Division. MacT needs to take him aside and say “it’s not you, it’s us,” and give Gagner a chance to succeed in a more conducive environment.

According to Edmonton radio host and Oilers analyst Bob Stauffer, the Montreal Canadiens or Pittsburgh Penguins — two Eastern Conference clubs known to be looking for help up front — might be interested in Edmonton’s Ales Hemsky. The veteran winger has a chance to showcase his skills in Sochi, but only registered a single assist in 30 minutes of ice time through the Czech Republic’s first three games.

You’ll probably be hearing and reading a lot about Martin Brodeur over the next two weeks because his history-making two decades with the Devils could be coming to an end. Brodeur was platooning in goal for most of the season with Cory Schneider, but now is a 41-year-old backup who sat six games in a row and eight of nine before the break.

he Nashville Predators will be looking to fine-tune their roster before the March 5 trade deadline and in the off-season, as they work towards competing next season.

As Predators GM David Poile continues to mend after being struck in the face with a puck prior to the Olympic break, management understands its position this season.
The Predators have been actively shopping center David Legwand, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.

The offer was there, it was rejected, and now Andrew MacDonald has to start contemplating life in the NHL with a team other than the Islanders.

About a month and a half ago, the top-four defenseman turned down a four-year contract worth $16 million, The Post has learned. So now, as the Olympic roster freeze approaches on Friday at 3 p.m., and the March 5 trade deadline nears, Islanders general manager Garth Snow is set to deal MacDonald to the highest bidder.

Among the teams keeping tabs on the Vanek situation are the Los Angeles Kings, although a source Tuesday suggested he might not be their top target. My guess is that would be Matt Moulson, although as reported before, Sam Gagner and Mike Cammalleri are also options for L.A.

David Legwand doesn’t carry the name recognition or flash that a trade target like Thomas Vanek does, but the Nashville Predators hope to score a quality asset for him anyway. At least, that’s the word from TSN’s Bob McKenzie.